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Fayette County commission backs fire marshal review and signals support for closing Smithers volunteer department
Summary
Commissioners voted to send a letter to the state fire marshal supporting the decision to close the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department and to relay the county's knowledge of long-running operational problems. The county said coverage has been provided by neighboring departments and that the fire marshal will decide by Dec. 3.
A commissioner moved that the Fayette County Commission formally support the decision to close the Smithers Volunteer Fire Department and ask the state fire marshal's office to consider the county's information about the department's operational problems.
"The Smithers Volunteer Fire Department ... has been covered by Montgomery and Boomer for several years, and that it's had multiple, fire chiefs and multiple issues with management and staff," the commissioner said, arguing the department lacks drivers for engines and has had a "myriad of issues."
The motion directed counsel to send a letter to the state fire marshal's office advising of the county's position and of the commission's understanding regarding Smithers's municipal role and the department's status. The commission approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was provided on the record.
County counsel and the commission said the state fire marshal will make a final decision on Dec. 3. The motion calls for the county to advise the fire marshal of local knowledge about the department and the city of Smithers' role in supporting it.
The item followed discussion in an executive session on attorney information; commissioners said no decisions were finalized in that closed session.
